PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Saunier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafhael Angeles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saunier kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Muse - Hysteria. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Saunier
vs
Angeles

184 cm
27
145 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Condemned

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matthieu Saunier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rafhael Angeles!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saunier shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Angeles bucks Saunier off and manages to get back to his feet!
Saunier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Angeles momentarily.

It looks like Rafhael Angeles has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Angeles.
Angeles uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saunier.
Saunier throws a lazy uppercut

and Angeles counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunier wants to control but Angeles is keeping busy.
Well, if Angeles is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Saunier looking for submissions off his back.
Angeles is thwarting Saunier's attempts to control the position.
Angeles passes into side control, despite Saunier's attempt to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunier is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Angeles asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Saunier bucks up and tries to throw Angeles off but instead Angeles has got his back!
Saunier controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Saunier trying to control but not successfully.
Saunier controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saunier is trying to shake Angeles off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Angeles won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Saunier lands an overhand right.
No joy there for Saunier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saunier misses with an uppercut
and Angeles counters with a nice low kick that buckles Saunier's knee momentarily.
Angeles shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saunier as he jumps to the side.
Saunier misses with a left hand

and Angeles counters with a single leg into guard. Saunier didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Saunier working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Angeles doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Angeles manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Saunier looking for a guillotine here but Angeles defends easily.
Saunier can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Angeles controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angeles trying to control but Saunier is working from the bottom.

Saunier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Angeles gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Saunier not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Saunier throws his legs up looking for a submission but Angeles uses it to pass to side control.
Saunier really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saunier is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunier is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Angeles is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Saunier knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Saunier is not content to let Angeles control the position.

Angeles has hold of Saunier's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Saunier tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Angeles cranks the arm and Saunier screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Saunier, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Rafhael Angeles!
An out of breath Rafhael Angeles thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.